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Blue Jay (comics)
Encyclopedia
Blue Jay is a DC Comics
superhero
and a former member of the Champions of Angor
, also known as the Justifiers. He has the ability to shrink to seven inches tall and grow blue wings which allow him to fly. Blue Jay is a homage to the Marvel Comics
character Yellowjacket
.(I)]Justice League of America #87 (February 1971).
who survive the trip to Earth were Blue Jay, Silver Sorceress
(an homage to the Scarlet Witch
), and Wandjina (an homage to Thor
). The creation of these characters is a corollary to Roy Thomas
' characters within the Squadron Supreme
(a Marvel homage to DC's Justice League of America at the time).
After surviving the destruction of his home world of Angor, Blue Jay and his allies come to Earth
, in an attempt to disarm its nuclear
arsenal and save it from a similar fate. Wandjina seemingly sacrifices his life in a successful attempt to protect the country of Bialya
from a nuclear meltdown
(he would return, briefly, a shell of his former self). Blue Jay and the Sorceress are imprisoned by Russian officials. Sorceress escapes back to her homeworld through magic. Blue Jay escapes into the Russian wilderness. He evades multiple Russian patrols and ends up with the League.
, robotic duplicates of the entities who had destroyed their world. The robots almost do the same to Earth, but are stopped by a combined effort of both teams. It is revealed that Mitch Wacky, a revered member of Blue Jay's world, had created the robotic Extremists but they had gotten out of control. Mitch ran a highly advanced theme park, where the robot Extremists were attractions. Mitch's technological resources had allowed him to survive the nuclear holocaust
and he soon makes his way to Earth and a new life. Mitch's subsequent time travel adventure with Kilowog
would showcase Blue Jay's old friends and teammates, all analogues of Marvel Comics
superheros.
It turns out that Dreamslayer
, one of the Extremists, is not a robotic duplicate, but the real thing.
under the command of Catherine Cobert
. During his tenure in Justice League Europe
he spends most of his time wracked with self-doubt.
He is one of the many to fall victim to Starro
, but Ice
stops this current invasion. He is eventually made the leader of the European branch
of the League. He is assigned such by Ambassador Rolf Heimlich, who had been placed in charge of the League by the people of the United Nations
. Blue Jay's first mission is to bring back Blue Beetle, Captain Atom
, Ice, and Elongated Man
. They had all been fired by Heimlich and had teamed together to illegally invade Bialya
to uncover the truth behind recent incidents. Inspector Camus discovers the truth behind Heimlich, that he is a mole sent by Queen Bee
, the ruler of Biayla. On the flight over, Blue Jay is given valuable leadership advice by Martian Manhunter
. The League uncovers the Queen Bee's brainwashing plots in an explosion set by Sumaan Harjavti, who then kills the Queen. The explosion itself also almost kills the League but Ice saves the lives of every superhero and the brainwashing victims by forming an ice shield. Unfortunately she is not able to save all of the local Bialyans, many of whom die. Blue Jay and the League stay long enough to participate in rescue and relief efforts.
. Dreamslayer enhances Max's persuasion power and takes over the populated, sentient, mobile island of Kooey Kooey Kooey
. Mitch Wacky is kidnapped to recreate the Extremists, but dies shortly thereafter. During the Justice League raid on the island, the Sorceress takes an arrow in the stomach, fired by a brainwashed native. She dies, but not before neutralizing Dreamslayer. All the Justice League take this hard, but none more so then Blue Jay, for he is now truly the only survivor of his world.
s and the villain known as Sonar
.
He is kidnapped by acquisitive aliens, along with dozens of other superhumans. The stowaways, Nightwing
and Firestorm
, work to release Superman
. Their efforts free the hero, along with a few others imprisoned in his specific energy cage. This group includes Blue Jay, Skyrocket
, Livewire
, the Veteran, and Aquaman II. Doubts about Superman's identity cause a schism in the makeshift team, but they work together to restore their powers, damage the facilities of their alien captors, and free everyone and everything that had been taken.
Due to a mistake by Livewire and the intentional transmissions of the aliens themselves, Blue Jay's efforts, along with the rest of his temporary allies, were broadcast to every television on Earth and to many alien worlds beyond.
This was confirmed later on, when it was revealed Blue Jay was alive, and held captive by New Gods
doppleganger Doctor Impossible
. It was later revealed that Doctor Impossible and his team had captured Blue Jay in order to use him as a component in a Multiversal machine that they had planned to use to resurrect Darkseid
. This plot went awry when the machine instead gave birth to a new villain calling himself Omega Man. During the subsequent battle between the JLA and Omega Man, Blue Jay was rescued from his prison by Supergirl
, who humorously stated to have never heard of him. Once freed, Blue Jay attacked and defeated Owlman
, one of his former captors. After the Syndicate members were defeated and sent back to their home universe, Blue Jay chose to fly off into the Multiverse, telling Batman that while he was never respected or considered useful on that world, there might be another Earth out there where he could finally become a true hero.
and taken to their first meeting, where absolutely nothing is planned to happen.
In his previous identity of Massive Man, the Earth-8 version of Blue Jay was able to increase his height to over 20 feet. It is not known whether this was also true for the main timeline/New Earth Blue Jay.
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
and a former member of the Champions of Angor
Champions of Angor
The Champions of Angor are a fictional superhero team in the DC Comics universe. They are a pastiche of the Avengers from the Marvel Comics universe. They were created by Mike Friedrich and Dick Dillin in the pages of Justice League of America #87 February...
, also known as the Justifiers. He has the ability to shrink to seven inches tall and grow blue wings which allow him to fly. Blue Jay is a homage to the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
character Yellowjacket
Henry Pym
Dr. Henry "Hank" Pym is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. Created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber and penciler Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Tales to Astonish #27...
.(I)]Justice League of America #87 (February 1971).
Fictional character biography
The three primary members of the Champions of AngorChampions of Angor
The Champions of Angor are a fictional superhero team in the DC Comics universe. They are a pastiche of the Avengers from the Marvel Comics universe. They were created by Mike Friedrich and Dick Dillin in the pages of Justice League of America #87 February...
who survive the trip to Earth were Blue Jay, Silver Sorceress
Silver Sorceress
The Silver Sorceress is a DC Comics character and member of the Champions of Angor. She first appeared in Justice League of America #87, , and is an homage to the Scarlet Witch.-Fictional character biography:...
(an homage to the Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch
The Scarlet Witch is a fictional comic book character that appears in books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in X-Men #4 and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
), and Wandjina (an homage to Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
). The creation of these characters is a corollary to Roy Thomas
Roy Thomas
Roy William Thomas, Jr. is an American comic book writer and editor, and Stan Lee's first successor as editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics. He is possibly best known for introducing the pulp magazine hero Conan the Barbarian to American comics, with a series that added to the storyline of Robert E...
' characters within the Squadron Supreme
Squadron Supreme
The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first appeared in Avengers #85 - 86 The Squadron Supreme is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Squadron Supreme first...
(a Marvel homage to DC's Justice League of America at the time).
After surviving the destruction of his home world of Angor, Blue Jay and his allies come to Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
, in an attempt to disarm its nuclear
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
arsenal and save it from a similar fate. Wandjina seemingly sacrifices his life in a successful attempt to protect the country of Bialya
Bialya
Bialya is a fictional country appearing in many comic book series published by DC Comics. It was notably featured in issues of Justice League International as written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis. It originally appeared in Justice League #2 -Fictional history:It has existed as a country since...
from a nuclear meltdown
Nuclear meltdown
Nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. The term is not officially defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency or by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission...
(he would return, briefly, a shell of his former self). Blue Jay and the Sorceress are imprisoned by Russian officials. Sorceress escapes back to her homeworld through magic. Blue Jay escapes into the Russian wilderness. He evades multiple Russian patrols and ends up with the League.
The Extremist Vector
While with the League, they confront the ExtremistsExtremists (comics)
The Extremists are a team of supervillains in DC Comics Justice League titles, they were introduced in Justice League Europe issue #15.-History:...
, robotic duplicates of the entities who had destroyed their world. The robots almost do the same to Earth, but are stopped by a combined effort of both teams. It is revealed that Mitch Wacky, a revered member of Blue Jay's world, had created the robotic Extremists but they had gotten out of control. Mitch ran a highly advanced theme park, where the robot Extremists were attractions. Mitch's technological resources had allowed him to survive the nuclear holocaust
Nuclear holocaust
Nuclear holocaust refers to the possibility of the near complete annihilation of human civilization by nuclear warfare. Under such a scenario, all or most of the Earth is made uninhabitable by nuclear weapons in future world wars....
and he soon makes his way to Earth and a new life. Mitch's subsequent time travel adventure with Kilowog
Kilowog
Kilowog is a fictional superhero from DC Comics, and a member of the Green Lantern Corps.-Origins:A towering alien with a brutish and porcine appearance, Kilowog is renowned throughout the Green Lantern Corps as the primary trainer of the Corps' newest recruits...
would showcase Blue Jay's old friends and teammates, all analogues of Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
superheros.
It turns out that Dreamslayer
Dreamslayer
Dreamslayer is a fictional character, a DC Comics supervillain, and part of the evil gang called Extremists. Like the other Extremists, he is a homage to a Marvel Comics character, in this case Dormammu...
, one of the Extremists, is not a robotic duplicate, but the real thing.
Leader For A Mission
Blue Jay becomes a member of the Justice LeagueJustice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
under the command of Catherine Cobert
Catherine Cobert
Catherine Maureen Cobert is a fictional character published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Justice League International vol. 1 #8 , and was created by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire.-Fictional character biography:...
. During his tenure in Justice League Europe
Justice League Europe
Justice League Europe was a DC Comics book run that was a spin-off of the comic book Justice League America ....
he spends most of his time wracked with self-doubt.
He is one of the many to fall victim to Starro
Starro
Starro is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Brave and the Bold #28 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky....
, but Ice
Ice (comics)
Ice is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in publications from DC Comics. Created by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire, she first appeared in Justice League International #12 ....
stops this current invasion. He is eventually made the leader of the European branch
Justice League Europe
Justice League Europe was a DC Comics book run that was a spin-off of the comic book Justice League America ....
of the League. He is assigned such by Ambassador Rolf Heimlich, who had been placed in charge of the League by the people of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. Blue Jay's first mission is to bring back Blue Beetle, Captain Atom
Captain Atom
Captain Atom is a fictional comic book superhero that has existed in three basic incarnations. Created by writer Joe Gill and artist/co-writer Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Space Adventures #33 . Captain Atom was created for Charlton Comics but was later acquired by DC Comics and revised for...
, Ice, and Elongated Man
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
. They had all been fired by Heimlich and had teamed together to illegally invade Bialya
Bialya
Bialya is a fictional country appearing in many comic book series published by DC Comics. It was notably featured in issues of Justice League International as written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis. It originally appeared in Justice League #2 -Fictional history:It has existed as a country since...
to uncover the truth behind recent incidents. Inspector Camus discovers the truth behind Heimlich, that he is a mole sent by Queen Bee
Queen Bee (comics)
Queen Bee is the name of four different DC Comics supervillains.-Queen Bee :The leader of the hiveworld Korll, Zazzala lives only for the interstellar expansion of her species. Zazzala first appeared in Justice League of America #23...
, the ruler of Biayla. On the flight over, Blue Jay is given valuable leadership advice by Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
. The League uncovers the Queen Bee's brainwashing plots in an explosion set by Sumaan Harjavti, who then kills the Queen. The explosion itself also almost kills the League but Ice saves the lives of every superhero and the brainwashing victims by forming an ice shield. Unfortunately she is not able to save all of the local Bialyans, many of whom die. Blue Jay and the League stay long enough to participate in rescue and relief efforts.
Losing Friends
Dreamslayer eventually returns to take over the mind of the Justice League financier, Maxwell LordMaxwell Lord
Maxwell Lord IV is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He is a shrewd and powerful businessman who was very influential in the formation of the Justice League International in DC Comics.-Before the League:...
. Dreamslayer enhances Max's persuasion power and takes over the populated, sentient, mobile island of Kooey Kooey Kooey
Kooey Kooey Kooey
Kooey Kooey Kooey is a fictional country in the DC Universe.Kooey Kooey Kooey is an island in the South Pacific. It was featured prominently in Justice League International as written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis...
. Mitch Wacky is kidnapped to recreate the Extremists, but dies shortly thereafter. During the Justice League raid on the island, the Sorceress takes an arrow in the stomach, fired by a brainwashed native. She dies, but not before neutralizing Dreamslayer. All the Justice League take this hard, but none more so then Blue Jay, for he is now truly the only survivor of his world.
Post-JLE activities
Later, Blue Jay, as a JLE Reserve, becomes involved in power struggles involving the Rocket RedRocket Red
The Rocket Red Brigade is a DC Comics superhero team. They first appeared in Green Lantern Corps #208 , and were created by Steve Englehart and Joe Staton.-History:...
s and the villain known as Sonar
Sonar (comics)
Sonar is a DC Comics supervillain. He first appeared in Green Lantern #14, July , and was created by John Broome and Gil Kane.-Fictional character biography:...
.
He is kidnapped by acquisitive aliens, along with dozens of other superhumans. The stowaways, Nightwing
Nightwing
Nightwing is a name that has been used by several fictional characters in the DC Comics Universe. It was conceived as a Kryptonian analogue to the character of Batman, with Nightwing's frequent partner Flamebird based on Robin...
and Firestorm
Firestorm (comics)
Firestorm is the name of several comic book superheroes published by DC Comics. Ronnie Raymond and Martin Stein, the first Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm, the Nuclear Man #1 , and was created by Gerry Conway and Al Milgrom. Martin Stein, by himself as Firestorm, debuted in Firestorm the Nuclear...
, work to release Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
. Their efforts free the hero, along with a few others imprisoned in his specific energy cage. This group includes Blue Jay, Skyrocket
Skyrocket (comics)
Skyrocket is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. She first appeared in JLA #61 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Tom Grummett.-Fictional character biography:...
, Livewire
Livewire (DC Comics)
Livewire is a fictional character and a supervillain in the . She first appeared in 1997 in Superman: The Animated Series and was voiced by Lori Petty. Her first appearance in the comic books was in the publication of Action Comics #835 .-Animated series:Leslie Willis was once Metropolis' most...
, the Veteran, and Aquaman II. Doubts about Superman's identity cause a schism in the makeshift team, but they work together to restore their powers, damage the facilities of their alien captors, and free everyone and everything that had been taken.
Due to a mistake by Livewire and the intentional transmissions of the aliens themselves, Blue Jay's efforts, along with the rest of his temporary allies, were broadcast to every television on Earth and to many alien worlds beyond.
Justice League of America
Blue Jay was recently seen again in the pages of Justice League. He was apparently killed by a mysterious unknown villain while attempting to warn the Justice League of a plot against them. However, author James Robinson has suggested that the character is not in fact dead and that he will play a bigger role in the future.This was confirmed later on, when it was revealed Blue Jay was alive, and held captive by New Gods
New Gods
The New Gods are a fictional race appearing in publications by DC Comics, as well as the title for four series of comic books about those characters. They first appeared in New Gods #1 , and were created and designed by Jack Kirby....
doppleganger Doctor Impossible
Doctor Impossible
For the Doctor Impossible created by Austin Grossman, see Soon I Will Be Invincible.Doctor Impossible is a fictional character, a DC Comics supervillain that first appeared in Justice League of America, vol. 2 #1...
. It was later revealed that Doctor Impossible and his team had captured Blue Jay in order to use him as a component in a Multiversal machine that they had planned to use to resurrect Darkseid
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
. This plot went awry when the machine instead gave birth to a new villain calling himself Omega Man. During the subsequent battle between the JLA and Omega Man, Blue Jay was rescued from his prison by Supergirl
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
Kara Zor-El is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and related media, created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino. As Supergirl, Kara Zor-El serves as the biological cousin and female counterpart to DC Comic's iconic superhero Superman, created...
, who humorously stated to have never heard of him. Once freed, Blue Jay attacked and defeated Owlman
Owlman (comics)
Owlman is the name of several fictional supervillains that appear in comic books published by DC Comics who are the intended reverse counterparts of Batman. Owlman first appeared in Justice League of America #29 , and was created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky...
, one of his former captors. After the Syndicate members were defeated and sent back to their home universe, Blue Jay chose to fly off into the Multiverse, telling Batman that while he was never respected or considered useful on that world, there might be another Earth out there where he could finally become a true hero.
Earth-8 Blue Jay
The Lord Havok and The Extremists series (2007) features another universe's versions of the Extremists and Champions on Earth-8. The Champions are now part of a group called the Meta-Militia with Tin Man as president of Angor and Americommando as vice president. When Tin Man is killed by Lord Havok, Americommando becomes president with Blue Jay as his vice president. Disgusted by the president's corruption, Blue Jay assists the Extremists in defeating the Meta-Militia, and takes Americommando to stand trial for his crimes.Justice League Europe
A biologically ten years older Blue Jay is tossed into the far future by a time-based accident. He ends up in the middle of a Legion of Super Heroes recruitment drive. He is rejected but still given a flight ring. He is recruited for the Legion of Substitute Heroes by Polar BoyPolar Boy
Polar Boy is a fictional character, a superhero from the 30th century of the DC Universe, initially suggested by reader Buddy Lavigne of Northbrook, Illinois in the letters page of Adventure Comics #304, January, 1963.-Fictional character biography:...
and taken to their first meeting, where absolutely nothing is planned to happen.
Powers and abilities
Through unspecified means Blue Jay is able to shrink himself down to seven inches high. He also grows a pair of birdlike wings while shrinking, allowing him to fly.In his previous identity of Massive Man, the Earth-8 version of Blue Jay was able to increase his height to over 20 feet. It is not known whether this was also true for the main timeline/New Earth Blue Jay.